Massage & Bodywork

MAY | JUNE 2020

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90 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a y / j u n e 2 0 2 0 technique ENERGY WORK Because of empathy, we can sense what's occurring within our client's body. Because of empathy, we know when our massage strokes are relieving pain. Because of empathy, we can drill into the emotional roots of a challenge. And because of empathy, we might (all too often) become overwhelmed by a client's feelings, physical aches, neediness, histories, and desires. At baseline, empathy is the ability to understand and share another's reality. It is also the subject of one of my just- released books, Llewellyn's Little Book of Empathy, 1 which constitutes the spine of this article. In client work, empathy is a necessity. Empathy enables you to relate to your client and lets them know you care, but it also comes with serious potential downsides for you as a massage therapist. Because of the possible benefits and liabilities of empathy, I'm going to examine empathy from a unique point of view—through the lens of energy. Through this perspective, you can learn how to embrace the amazing upsides of using empathy on the job and decrease the possible negatives. I'll also outline the four major types of empathy and share specific ways to employ them during a session. PHYSICAL AND SUBTLE ENERGIES Energy is information that moves and absolutely everything is composed of it, including objects, bodies, thoughts, Empathy The Key to Compassionate Healing—If Done Correctly By Cyndi Dale

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